Galloway, NJ – Stockton University (0-2) could not withstand a late surge by Alvernia University (1-0) and fell 60-55 on Wednesday night. Freshman Madison LaRosa (Oceanport/Shore Regional) led all players with a career-high 23 points for the Ospreys in their home opener.
 
The Golden Wolves started quickly, running out to a 7-2 lead less than two minutes into the first period, before Stockton answered. A 10-0 spurt gave the Ospreys a 12-7 lead, with LaRosa tallying five of the points in the run. Stockton took a 13-11 margin after one period of play.
 
The Ospreys stretched the advantage to 24-14 late in the second quarter, but the visitors scored the final seven points in the last 1:55 to slice the Stockton led to 24-21 at the break. LaRosa topped the home squad with seven markers, while Grace Sacco (Ocean City/Ocean City) grabbed five rebounds.
 
Alvernia battled back in the third stanza, regaining their first lead since the opening period at 32-30 with 6:01 left in the frame. Stockton battled back to take a 42-37 lead at the end of three, on the strength of four markers each by LaRosa and Ionyonia Alves (Mays Landing/Oakcrest).
 
The margin increased to eight at 45-37 and with 8:57 remaining in regulation. Alvernia then posted a 14-0 run in a little less than six minutes to take the lead for good at 51-45 with 2:58 left in the game.
 
A three ball from LaRosa cut the lead to 51-50 at the two-minute mark but that was as close as the Ospreys would come in the 60-55 defeat.
 
LaRosa was the only Osprey in double figures, shooting 7-16 (43.7%) from the floor and 7-10 from the foul line. Aiya Underwood (Highland Park/Highland Park) pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds, six on the offensive glass, to go with eight points in an efficient 17 minutes of play. Emma Morrone (Maywood/Hackensack) led the team with four assists and three blocks on the evening.
 
Cathryn Kramer led the Golden Wolves with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Kayla Williams added 12 points. Kramer and Williams also blocked four shots each.
  
Stockton will host St. Elizabeth University on Saturday for their next game. The time is set for 2 pm in Galloway.